In high school, Chuck Graham loved sports. He was a student-athlete dedicated to his teams. But then, at 16 years old, a car accident paralyzed Graham from the chest down. However, this only changed his focus towards greater social change. Graham began using a wheelchair, even joining the University of Illinois’ wheelchair basketball team. Later, he became more intrigued by politics.

In 1990, Chuck Graham was a member of the U.S. House Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of Americans with Disabilities. During this time, he advocated passionately for the country to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Just 6 years later, he was elected into his seat within the Missouri House. He was the first Missourian lawmaker in a wheelchair.

Since that time, Chuck Graham has worked tirelessly to champion the rights of people with disabilities. At the end of May, he passed away from a heart attack at age 55, reports the Columbia Tribune. Now, we look back and remember his legacy.

Remember Chuck Graham

During his 7 years in the House, Chuck Graham made a lot of varied efforts to help his state’s citizens. He argued against reducing Medicaid funding. He approved of stem cell research.

When asked why the issues of the medical community were important to him, Chuck noted that his brother was also paralyzed from a separate car accident. Muscular dystrophy ran in his family, as did cancer. In advocating for those with disabilities and those with rare diseases or disorders, he hoped to improve treatments and research.

Next, Chuck Graham tackled the issue of accessibility, particularly in the political sphere. There were problems in accessibility for the House Floor and the House’s offices; they could not easily be reached by people in wheelchairs or, like Graham, politicians in wheelchairs. So how were constituents meant to communicate with lawmakers? As a result, Graham’s election brought with it a change: increased consideration towards people in this community.

In 2004, Graham was elected to the Senate. In 2008, Joe Biden even called Chuck Graham out as an exemplary politician.

Taking a Political Leave

However, 2008 also brought with it Graham’s initial political downfall: his DUI and subsequent arrest. As a result, Graham left office in 2009. But he remained deeply involved in disability advocacy as a campaign treasurer for Columbia Mayor Brian Treece, as chairman of the Columbia Disabilities Commission, and as co-director of the Great Plains ADA Center.

According to the National Advisory Board (NAB) on Improving Health Care Services for Older Adults and People with Disabilities, Chuck Graham also acted as:

• A founding member of the NAB
• Vice Chair of the Missouri Inclusive Housing Development Corporation

Before his passing, Graham was working towards a few distinct projects:

• Installing elevators in schools to promote increased accessibility for students. This would also allow students with disabilities to increase participation in school programs.
• Offering grants to transportation companies to make taxis and other public transportation options accessible for people with disabilities.